President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday signed into law the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.
The newly-signed law will initiate transformative outcomes and proactive measures to prevent the entry of smuggled agricultural products, ensure the correct duties and taxes, and impose higher penalties on violators.
President Marcos emphasized the importance of the law in shaping a stronger and more resilient agricultural sector and in punishing economic sabotage, particularly smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel operations that involve agricultural and fishery products.
“The passage of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act will set in motion transformative outcomes. It is a proactive measure to prevent the entry of smuggled agricultural products, ensuring that the correct duties and taxes are paid while imposing higher penalties on violators,” he said.
“This law shapes a stronger, more resilient agricultural sector that defends both our farmers and our consumers. It also safeguards public health by preventing the consumption or industrial processing of agricultural products that lack the necessary sanitary and phytosanitary permits. It ensures that what ends up on the tables of every Filipino family are safe and of the highest quality.” he added.
“Under this law, smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel operations involving agricultural and fishery products will now be classified as economic sabotage—a non-bailable offense punishable by life imprisonment and fines up to five times the value of the goods involved.”
Recognizing the law will hold accountable not only the masterminds but also their accomplices, the President formed the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council and the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group.
President Marcos will chair the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council, along with the Secretaries of Agriculture, Finance, Transportation, Trade and Industry, Interior and Local Government, Justice, and other key officials who will enforce the law and take decisive action against violators and offenders.
The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Enforcement Group will focus on dismantling smuggling operations and apprehending offenders. *|PND*
